Illustrated Flour Mill Billheads
- Nigel Harris
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An aspect of milling history
An
interesting collectable of milling history is the
illustrated company stationery of flour mills, and
in particular billheads. Most date from the late
19th/early 20th century and many include a pictorial
view of the mill. Many of these mills no longer
exist. Caution is needed regarding the illustration,
which may not necessarily be an accurate
representation of the building. It may include some
artistic licence with exaggerated detail and may
even represent the ambitious plans of the owner for
the future.
Billheads were commonly used on receipts in business
transactions from late 1860’s onwards. Many were
illustrated and decorated with fancy steel
engravings. Some examples are shown here: |
Lesbury Mill
This Northumberland flour mill was situated on the
River Aln. Milling had been carried out at Lesbury
for 600 years until this mill was closed in 1925.
The building was lost when it burnt down in 1964. |
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Mirfield Mills
Stott’s Mill was situated on the River Calder at
Battyeford, West Riding of Yorkshire. The mill was
destroyed by fire in April 1909 and part of the site
became a car park. |
Ruswarp Mill
Situated near Whitby, North Yorkshire, this mill was
originally built in 1752. Unfortunately it had to be
rebuilt after a fire in 1911. It then continued to
operate until 1989, when it was converted into
apartments.
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Elland Flour Mills
A five story mill which stood alongside the Calder &
Hebble Navigation, Calderdale. In 1890, it was said
to be the largest flour mill in Yorkshire. The mill
suffered a serious fire in April
1907.
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Tasburgh Mill
Was probably once a paper mill but in 1896 became
Duffields’ first roller mill. It had an auxiliary
steam engine and was capable of producing two sacks
an hour. Circa 1935 the mill was closed and
converted to residential use.
This article
first appeared in the January 2014 edition of the
SPAB Mill News |
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